The Black List Podcast

Luminary
  • 3.7 (7)
  • TV & FILM

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The Black List founder Franklin Leonard talks movies with people who love them and people who make them. He and Black List Director of Community Kate Hagen speak with filmmakers, producers, and creators of all kinds, deep diving on movie watching rituals, sharing career highs, and revisiting highly regarded films from the Black List itself. Guests include: Spike Lee, Janelle Monae, Ed Helms, Lulu Wang, Jason Hehir, Rhada Blank, Bowen Yang, Katrina Longworth, Gabrielle Union, and many, many more.

  1. 6D AGO

    Filmmaker Radha Blank is the 40-Year-Old Version

    [Reprise] Franklin and Kate are joined by the incredible Radha Blank—director, playwright, rapper, and friend of The Black List. Her debut feature, The 40-Year-Old Version, premiered at Sundance and earned her the Directing Award, making an unforgettable mark on the industry. The film is a deeply personal and hilarious take on reinvention and artistic expression. Radha takes us through her journey—from playwriting and rapping to stepping behind the camera for her first feature. We also dive into her early cinephile roots, exploring the films that shaped her storytelling, from The Landlord to Cinema Paradiso. Plus, she shares the moment she realized film was her true calling, and how her mother’s love of cinema influenced her creative path. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst. This conversation took place in 2021. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com. Mentions:  The 40-Year-Old Version: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_forty_year_old_version

    52 min

  2. MAR 17

    Gloria Calderón Kellett and Tonya Saracho

    [Encore! ¡Otra!] Two powerhouse talents, one unforgettable episode. When The Black List teamed up with Hulu to launch the first-ever Latinx List, it was only natural for Franklin and Kate to sit down with two of the initiative’s driving forces: Gloria Calderón Kellett (One Day at a Time) and Tanya Saracho (Vida). In this classic conversation, the acclaimed showrunners discuss how their friendship fuels creativity, their commitment to uplifting the next generation of Latinx storytellers, and the impact of authentic representation in Hollywood. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst. This was recorded in 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com. Mentions:  +Deadline, The Black List, Latin Tracking Board, NALIP, And Untitled Latinx Project Unveil Latinx TV List: https://deadline.com/2020/06/the-black-list-latin-tracking-board-nalip-remezcla-untitled-latinx-project-unveil-inaugural-latinx-tv-list-diversity-inclusion-representation-1202972696/  +One Day at a Time: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/one_day_at_a_time  +Hollywood Reporter, ‘One Day at a Time,’ ‘Star Trek’ Sub for Returning Originals on CBS Fall Schedule: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/one-day-at-a-time-star-trek-sub-for-returning-originals-on-cbs-fall-schedule  +Vida: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/vida  +Variety, ‘Vida’ Creator Tanya Saracho Signs Overall Deal With UCP: https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/vida-tanya-saracho-overall-deal-ucp-1234740022/

    53 min

  3. MAR 11

    Director Alice Wu Does Know the Half of It

    [Listen again]. Filmmaker Alice Wu joins Franklin and Kate to discuss her journey back into Hollywood as a queer Asian-American storyteller. She shares how Chinese-language films shaped her love of cinema, her time away from the industry, and the creative process behind The Half of It—a fresh take on the teen romantic triangle movie. From Saving Face, which was a huge hit at Sundance, to The Half of It landing on the Black List, Alice’s path is as inspiring as her films. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst. This episode was originally published in 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.  Mentions: +Saving Face: www.rottentomatoes.com/m/saving_face  +The Half of It: www.netflix.com/title/81005150

    1h 2m

  4. MAR 3

    Screenwriter/Director Chris Columbus

    Gremlins, Goonies, Home Alone, Mrs. Doubtfire—iconic films that few of us haven't seen. But how did they come to be? In this episode, Kate sits down with legendary filmmaker Chris Columbus to explore his journey from aspiring screenwriter to Hollywood heavyweight. Columbus shares how his college screenplay sold for just $5K, the professor who told him success was 50% talent, 50% luck, and the serendipitous moment when Steven Spielberg discovered his Gremlins script. Plus, behind-the-scenes stories from Home Alone, Mrs. Doubtfire, and collaborating with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell on The Christmas Chronicles 2. This conversation took place in, and was originally published, in 2020. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.

    44 min

  5. FEB 19

    Jay Ellis on Directing, Acting, Spaceballs, and Basketball

    Jay Ellis (Top Gun: Maverick, Insecure) joins Kate and Franklin for their signature movie survey, diving into the films that shaped him—from Spaceballs (his surprising answer for what made him fall in love with movies) to He Got Game and White Men Can't Jump. They also talk about his experience starring in Top Gun: Maverick, how fatherhood has changed his perspective, his Insecure directorial debut, and more. Plus, a deep dive into basketball movies and '90s sports film nostalgia.

    41 min

  6. FEB 10

    Ed Helms: Quiet Superstar, Comedic Legend

    Franklin and Kate sat down with comedy legend Ed Helms to explore his journey from Saturday Night Live-fueled interest in high school, to performing with the Upright Citizens Brigade as a young adult to making waves on The Daily Show during the George W. Bush era. They discuss how those experiences shaped his perspective on political comedy today, dive into his roles in blockbuster hits like Vacation and The Hangover trilogy, and chat about his Netflix project, Coffee & Kareem. Plus, don’t miss the surprising twist: Ed Helms isn’t just a comedic genius—he’s also a talented bluegrass musician. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst. This conversation was recoreded in 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.  Mentions: +Coffee & Kareem: https://www.netflix.com/title/80220009  +Upright Citizens Brigade: https://ucbcomedy.com  +The Daily Show: http://www.cc.com/shows/the-daily-show-with-trevor-noah.

    1h 9m

  7. FEB 3

    Janelle Monáe Won't Stop Still She Gets Enough

    In honor of her electric performance of a Michael Jackson cover--to honor the late great Quincy Jones, at this year's Grammys ceremony, we're bringing back her conversation with Franklin and Kate from a few years ago. The trio talk about how her music has informed her film career, her childhood memories of Steel Magnolias, seeing herself onscreen in Sister Act 2, and so much more. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst. This encore episode's conversation took place in 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.  Mentions: +Homecoming: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B085SVBCBP/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r  +Steel Magnolias: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/steel_magnolias   +Sister Act 2: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sister_act_2_back_in_the_habit

    20 min

  8. JAN 27

    Bruce Lee Through Bao Nguyen's Lens

    Be Water filmmaker Bao Nguyen joins Kate and Franklin to talk about bringing Bruce Lee to a new generation, his Saturday Night Live documentary, depictions of the Vietnam War on screen, and a lot more deep cut film talk. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst. This conversation originally took place in 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com. Mentions:  +Be Water: espn.com/mma/story/_/id/29249053/be-water-how-watch-stream-espn-bruce-lee-documentary  +Live From New York!: rottentomatoes.com/m/live_from_new_york

    43 min
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Hosts & Guests

Ratings & Reviews

3.7
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The Black List founder Franklin Leonard talks movies with people who love them and people who make them. He and Black List Director of Community Kate Hagen speak with filmmakers, producers, and creators of all kinds, deep diving on movie watching rituals, sharing career highs, and revisiting highly regarded films from the Black List itself. Guests include: Spike Lee, Janelle Monae, Ed Helms, Lulu Wang, Jason Hehir, Rhada Blank, Bowen Yang, Katrina Longworth, Gabrielle Union, and many, many more.

Information

  • Channel
    Luminary
  • Creator
    Franklin Leonard | Luminary | Ninth Planet Audio
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ninth Planet Audio
  • Show Website
    The Black List Podcast
  • Provider
    Luminary Media

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